Effective disinfecting of protective devices used in the course of treating SARS-CoV2–positive patients

Abstract

Background: Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) was widely used in Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. Ensuring a sustained supply of clean and reusable PAPR masks for frontline medical team is an immediate challenge. The Central Sterile Supplies Unit (CSSU) adopts existing disinfection methods and technology for the reprocessing of reusable personal protective equipment (PPE) such as PAPR masks and goggles. Objective: To determine an effective disinfecting method for protective devices used in the course of treating SARS-CoV2–positive patients. Method: A comparison on surface disinfection and modified thermal disinfection outcome was conducted on 30 PAPR masks through detecting the presence of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by swab following both disinfecting methods. Results: The modified thermal cycles emerged as the recommended disinfection method. Discussion: The outcome of this study has enhanced understanding on the risk imposed on frontline healthcare personnel who perform surface disinfecting on masks for reuse during the work shift. Leveraging on the current expertise from existing instrument logistics, CSSU takes charge of the processing and stock management of SKH’s PAPR masks. An additional workflow is needed to establish reprocessing methods for other reusable PPEs such as face shields or overalls.

Personal Protective Equipment Waste Management Behavior of Undergraduates in Xi'an City: Extended Theory of Value-Identity-Personal Norm Model

“…In terms of recycling from the viewpoint of chemistry (e.g., glycolysis, hydrogenation, aminolysis, hydrolysis, pyrolysis, and gasi cation), the components of contaminated PPEs should be meticulously managed and destructed through quali ed waste accumulators, properly bagged, or reused to stop environmental pollution (Jain et al, 2022;Samarjeet et al, 2021). In terms of physical processes, for the decontamination of face coverings, PPE reuse can be achieved using a washing machine or spin dryer at 60°C for 60 min, through supercritical CO 2 sterilization, or other effective disinfection methods (Rowan and Laffey, 2021; Santos-Rosales et al, 2022; Tan et al, 2022).…”

Personal protective equipment waste management behavior of undergraduates in Xi'an City based on extended theory of value-identity-personal norm model

“…In terms of recycling from the viewpoint of chemistry (e.g., glycolysis, hydrogenation, aminolysis, hydrolysis, pyrolysis, and gasification), the components of contaminated PPEs should be meticulously managed and destructed through qualified waste accumulators, properly bagged, or reused to stop environmental pollution 5 , 6 . In terms of physical processes, for the decontamination of face coverings, PPE reuse can be achieved using a washing machine or spin dryer at 60 °C for 60 min, through supercritical CO 2 sterilization, or other effective disinfection methods 7 – 9 .…”